Spawn, water temp vs. daylight

[lectricbassman]

Just read the BR article by Bill Miller about catching 10lb bass. Very interesting information. I have always believed that bass rely more on available daylight hours than water temps to determine when to spawn. I havent found a lot of scientific evidence to back this up though. Could it be that the water temperatures that we key in on are just an effect of the longer hours, rather than the temperature itself being the trigger. I know there are many other variables to consider but i find the daylight argument most compelling. What are your thoughts and opinions on this?

[IndianaFinesse]

Check out the thread that is called, is Water Temperature or photoperiod more important for spawning?  I asked that same question there.  Everyone thought that the water temperature was more important, and cited recent trips that showed that it is.

[Scarborough817]

if it were about sunlight they would be spawning in my local pond already which they definitely aren't with the recent cold weather they are still in a winter-spring transition

[eyedabassman]

You could have overcast days and a very warm wind,that will also warm water but the sun is the main factor! Sun warms up rock and dark bottoms and dark water warms faster than clear water so it all plays into the bass moving up to spawn.

[Raul]

Daylight first, temperature later. 

[eyedabassman]

A warm rain can get the water temps going too!

[Fish the Mitt]

 

I believe Tom (WRB) (first poster in above thread) is on the right track (with my personal beliefs).

I live in Michigan and the lakes freeze over every winter. So come spring, the transition from Winter to Spring is more dramatic than say, Florida. The transition on a Florida lake is a lot less dramatic because of the geographical zones. It's not uncommon for a Florida lake to remain a constant 50-60 degrees while here in Michigan, we get as low as 30's for months at a time. 

With that said, what WRB says about a Florida body of water being more about photoperiod, and a northern/high altitude lake being more about water temp, I believe to be accurate. 

I think they both play a role but I believe bodies of water (based geographically) will differ in regards to what plays a lead role and which takes a back seat (or more secondary role). So I don't think there is a one true answer.